Saturday, December 19, 2009

Yesterday I went to see my mom at the bank and run a few errands. Someone in Washington state bought some button earrings and I finally sent out my fingerprints and such to allow investigations into my character, background and other types of reports for a job. If I am trusted enough I get a job. If not, I'm not given a job. Let's hope I get a better paying job for the new year.

So I brought some jewelry stuff to the bank because they wanted to see it and was chatting up my mom when Dan came in.

Mom told me to turn around, look who was there. I was surprised and happy to see him. He did some banking and came to talk to us. He said he would like to rent to us. Meaning yes, we got it. The nook place. He wasn't checking that I worked at kohls, just taking my word for it because they have a silly phone service and I don't know any of the office numbers. He contacted my mom's references and they gave us good reviews. Five stars. So we officially get to start the move in and paper sign process on Sunday. Giving us about three days to get everything we want to keep out of the house.

I am excited and nervous because I have a few items I can't find that I want to bring with me. My major concern is my scrapbook with a bunch of photos I don't want to lose. I also have a scrapbook of Kerri's things someplace. And her curtains somewhere.

I know major items I'm taking like the bed and the couch and the two TVs. I will have to get my clothes together as well. That might be the more difficult thing. I have clothes all over the house and not all worth keeping. Again, I mention I am a packrat. I had begun the might purge last summer and had planned to continue it this coming one. So it is just going to be hurried along and I won't be able to dispose of things as I had hoped but I am forced to evaluate the bits and baubles I am clinging to. A fresh start for all. Mom is even getting a haircut on Sunday so she is starting fresh. This is good for us.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

This is made all the more difficult by The Carpenter's version of "I'll be home for Christmas." It just came on.

It is no surprise to anyone who knows me that I have a hard time getting rid of things. I am a packrat. So looking at my room, I see various parts of my past and objects that may not have meaning but are tied to many memories. The problem I face is one of importance. In a few ways, actually. I must figure out what is still important and what will be important in the future. Which, is an important task for moving.

Is my hat collection important? It certainly seems a waste to get rid of them. What about my craft supplies? Will I use them all? Will I scrapbook again? Will I have space? What furniture do I keep? And why am I holding on so tightly to certain things?

I think one of my fears is forgetting something. I'm afraid of leaving things behind and someone else finding it and never knowing how hard it was for me to leave behind.

As mom and I only have a few days now to get out, we can only bring so much and can only pack the most important things.

How do I determine which books are most important if I can't take them all.

I'm concerned there are things I will forget while thinking about what is important and then remembering when it is too late.

So I'm taking a breather. I can't see clearly enough to determine what is most important. If worse comes to worse I need the most important things to fit in the car for a while.

Dan is checking our references now and we should hear back soon I think.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

We had an appointment today for my number one place. Any of my other places are like number 54 when I think about this one. Wouldn't it be nice if you always got what you wanted. (By the by, if you do get everything you want I want you to please go away, but seeing as how my wants are not usually in the cards I'm given, I suspect you won't go away.)

After being too sure of myself and knowing where I was going, we got there eventually. Not a big deal because Dan forgot the house key and was going to be a little late. (and yeah, I kind of love Dan as just one of those really awesome kind of people even if this doesn't work out.) So mom and I wait in the driveway for about two seconds, seeing as how we were a little late, and Dan shows up. Introductions around and it is off to the back yard area, a bit of conversation and then to the garage. Yeah. GARAGE. Just for the tenant who moves in there.

Then we make our way up a couple of steps onto the side porch where there is enough space for a small deck table and chair set for nice days. Upon entering the apartment/duplex we are bathed in light from all of the windows. To the left, the bathroom, stand up shower-no tub-no problem, pretty good space I think. However, our bathroom now is a little narrow. To some it may be small. To the right of the side entrance door is the door that leads to the basement. Yeah, I know, a basement where there are washer dryer hookups and storage space for things in sealed containers because he said it can get a little wet with heavy rains. Back up the stairs and if you were to continue on onward from the side entrance is the kitchen. To the left of the kitchen, beside the bathroom, though blocked off by walls, is a breakfast nook or computer room. And that only sounds odd now, it being next to the bathroom. It isn't when you actually see the place. The kitchen is not huge but not tiny either. It is a really nice size for one or two people families. Walking through the kitchen you encounter the rooster room. It is a bit crazy and I kind if love it. I wish we had more that would go with the room but I think it will need a new paint job and such if we get it. To the left of the living room/rooster room is a little mud room entrance which is awesome because I have always wanted a mud room and it would be so cool to have. To the right of the rooster room is bedroom 2. I call it that because it isn't the master or larger room. It is a daisy yellow with a blue carpet and has a very nice closet with a bunch of room. The other room is a straight shot from the kitchen, through the rooster room and into the bubble room. It doesn't have a closet and could easily be a living space rather than a bed room but it will have to be a bedroom for our needs if we get it. There is a section of wall that bubbles out like it could maybe hold a window seat if it just stuck out a bit more and there are three windows letting in a bunch of light. There is no closet so that is the only road bump for storage but not a big deal. There is a sealed door to nowhere that I love very much. There is also a stairway to nowhere that was used as a closet in The rooster room and I love that as well.

Most of the flooring is wood and beautiful. I love this place. There are places mom could plant, Dan is willing to let us have dogs and would even like to rent to us. He has to show the place again on Thursday, Which may already be today, not sure what time it is now.

I have some photos but I am afraid if I post them it will be a jinx on the whole thing. I hope to know more soon. We sent the application to Dan via Chester computers today while visiting Kara.

I want to hope so badly but I just keep getting my hopes up about things and get way too depressed if they fail. So, one step at a time, a little bit by a little bit and maybe soon I will be able to say we found a place, even if it isn't this one.

The cat is sticking his nose in my eye and pawing my cheek. Which, I think, means he wants me to pay attention to him. The cat almost always gets what he wants. Almost.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The search continues for a dwelling after the disappointing Sunday experience. The neighbors were nice, the neighborhood was nice but when we got there the guy seemed surprised. I must admit I was a little surprised that he seemed surprised when we had set a date and time to meet. For sanity and privacy I will call him F. F was in a bomber jacket, airforce wing pins on the left. As he exited the house he said, "Well, I'm not really renting now because we are in foreclosure." He went back in a little and said, "but I'll show it to you anyway. Let me get the keys." Mom and I looked at each other and must have both been thinking something like "what the hell is he advertising this for and making appointments if he is losing his place" but I'm sure it was summed up in a four letter word starting with f.

We enter the buiding, there is still furniture left behind by the last tenant, the place is small, falling apart and the garage space is stil being used by the owner for storage. The bathroom is tiny and has a rotten floor. So it was a bust. As we were leaving, F told us that he was fighting to keep the place and because his name wasn't on the mortgage he had a good ground for objecting. We were also told we could move in if we wanted and they'd give us 60 days if he was foreclosed because we were new.

I told him to email me if things changed.

After sadly driving away, Mom and I went to Maryanns. She had me check fosters daily online to see about places renting and I did end up with a few. That night I Kara and I looked for some more places on a certain listing site. We found a few. So I added them to the list and got some sleep knowing I couldn't do anything at midnight on a Sunday.

Monday I made a bunch of calls. Most places won't accept the pets because they are 2nd floor units or think that the 2 large dogs are too young and too destructive. Which is entirely possible. So that brought my list of 20 to about 5.

One of the five places was supposed to be viewed today. However, I got a call today and told the time wasn't right as he has another appointment. I wasn't very excited about that place because it has on street parking and only for two vehicles.

There is a place I am hoping works out because it seems wonderful. And so far two other people also think it is wonderful. Mom and I have a 10:00 am appointment to see the place. I spoke to "Dan" and I use his name because he seems nice. We spoke for a while and he said that is seems like someone just needs to give us a break. We spoke about how I like to fix things up so I don't even mind if there are a few problem areas like funky walls or a room in need of a new paint job. Dan said that the place will go to whoever is most compatible with the place and whoever gets back to them fastest. So I am crossing my fingers that this place works. As not too many other places seem to be.

I am thinking that if nothing works we sell the cars, get an RV and live as gypsies. The new traveling circus. Who has a talent? Who wants to come?